Bomb Attacks On Synagogues Have Disrupted Both Turkey's Image And The Atmosphere Of Peace And Friendship

ISTANBUL - Religious Affairs Head Prof. Dr. Ali Bardakoglu has said, ''Saturday's bomb attacks in Istanbul's two synagogues have disrupted both Turkey's image and the atmosphere of peace and friendship.''
Bardakoglu hosted a dinner at Istanbul's Golden Tulip Topkapi Eresin Hotel during the holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking at the dinner, Prof. Dr. Bardakoglu said, ''acts of violence and terror do not take place in the core of religious beliefs. Saturday's bombings have disrupted both Turkey's image and the atmosphere of peace and friendship.''
''Terrorism cannot have a religious belief. It is a crime against humanity. All there monotheistic faiths are God's mercy, compassion and affection upon us. There is an extremely distressing fact in the world. At least one third of terrorist crimes is being committed by using religious arguments. It is inevitable that when a religious belief is understood wrongfully, it will be used for such purposes,'' he said.
''These attacks in Istanbul will not prevent interreligious peace and brotherhood. On the contrary, such attacks will strengthen the dialogue among the religious beliefs. We, as representatives of there monotheistic faiths, have to cooperate with each other to prevent terrorism. We should consider terrorism a crime against humanity, and fight against it. Terrorism and acts of violence should not be allowed to use our faiths,'' he noted.
Prof. Dr. Bardakoglu offered his condolences and implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.
Meanwhile, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew said in his part, ''we harshly condemn all kinds of terrorism and acts of violence whatever their motives are. We believe that such heinous events cannot solve any problems. Dialogue and good will are the methods to resolve all problems. We are in favor of peace.''
Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob II also condemned the bomb attacks saying, ''we consider these events an attack on our country and on our stability. However, any attack cannot disrupt our country as long as our unity and solidarity continue.''
Two explosives-laden trucks exploded one after the other outside Istanbul's two famous synagogues on Saturday, killing 24 people and injuring more than 300 others.
(UK) 17.11.2003